Three of the corpses were women in civilian clothing. Most of the dead were wearing military uniforms. Some bodies were charred beyond recognition.

No names of the victims were given and doctors were not available for comment.

Hospital workers said they were killed in air strikes in Tripoli on Thursday and Wednesday. But one corpse was wrapped in a white bag dated March 18.

That predates the start of the Western military campaign to destroy Libya’s air defence systems.

Libyan officials have declined to show journalists the sites of Western air strikes on what they say were civilian targets despite repeated requests. Reporters have not been able to speak to any of the wounded either. (Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Jon Boyle)